European Motorcycle Policies

Raise Red Flags for All Riders

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Motorcyclists across Europe are once again facing regulatory proposals that should concern riders in the United States. Policymakers in the European Union (EU) are pushing to expand mandatory Periodical Technical Inspections (PTI) to all motorcycles, claiming that inspections improve safety. According to research compiled by the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA), that claim is not supported by the facts.

 

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) works closely with FEMA to monitor these developments because policies debated in Europe often find their way into American policy conversations.

 

EU-wide studies consistently show that technical defects are the primary cause in less than 1–2% of motorcycle crashes. The overwhelming majority of accidents are tied to rider behavior, road design and infrastructure issues, not mechanical failure. Despite repeated claims from PTI advocates, no credible evidence shows that mandatory inspections reduce motorcycle fatalities.

 

Common inspection findings, such as lights, brakes and tires, are important for safety, but identifying a defect during a check does not mean it contributed to a real-world crash. Crash data across EU Member States confirms that mechanical failure is rarely the root cause. As FEMA’s Wim Taal has noted, policies should be based on real accident causation data, not assumptions.

 

Some European bodies point to roadside inspections with high defect rates to justify expanding PTI. In reality, these inspections are rare and typically conducted only when police already suspect non-compliance, such as visible exhaust modifications. Using targeted enforcement data to justify universal inspections exaggerates the problem, leading to unnecessary regulation. Notably, countries that already require PTI for all motorcycles have shown no measurable reduction in rider fatalities.

 

FEMA and rider organizations across Europe continue to stress that real safety improvements come from better rider training, safer infrastructure, and increased awareness among all road users. PTI does not address these proven factors.

 

American riders should pay attention. Freedom of the open road and the ability to ride without unnecessary government interference are core to the American motorcycling experience, and those values are often the first challenged by policies framed as “simple safety measures.” Regulatory ideas rarely stay confined overseas, and proposals like mandatory PTI are frequently repackaged as “international best practices” in U.S. policy debates. Through its partnership with FEMA, the MRF stays ahead of these trends to ensure decisions affecting riders are grounded in evidence, not bureaucracy

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Ride Safe and Ride Free.

ICE, CARB, EPA, CAFE, NHTSA

What are these acronyms and how are they changing motorcycling? Find out by reading the Freedom Fighter News!
 

 

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

 

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond.

 

All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved. Ride With The Leaders ™ by joining the MRF at http://mrf.org/ or call (202) 546-0983